Prince to host anniversary party

The Prince of Wales is hosting a party for his parents to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

More than 20 close members of the Royal Family will gather with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for the special dinner at the Prince's home, Clarence House.

Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princes William and Harry will be among those toasting the couple's 60-year milestone at the black tie event.

On Monday, the day before their anniversary, the Queen and Philip will attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, where they married on November 20, 1947.

Some 2,000 people including senior royals, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former leaders Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major, religious representatives, military chiefs of staff and some of the Queen's godchildren, will attend.

None of the Royal Family's German relations, nor Philip's sisters, who married Germans, were invited to the wedding in 1947 in keeping with the public's strong anti-German feeling in the wake of the Second World War.

But next week, in contrast to 60 years ago, some of the Duke's distant German relations will be present - his niece Grand Duchess Princess Margarita of Baden has been invited, as have other family members the Margrave and Margravine of Baden and Prince and Princess Ludwig of Baden.

About 500 members of Royal Household staff - past and present - will attend, including some of the servants who have worked most closely with the monarch and her consort over the years.

Representatives from the former Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Train and the Royal Squadron will join the congregation as will the Aga Khan, Sir David Attenborough and ex-King Constantine of Greece.

There will be around 20 members of the public from across the country who all married on the same day as the Queen and the Duke.